As one of the best up-and-coming players in Britain, there was a natural temptation to try to hop aboard the London 2012 bandwagon and achieve the ultimate sporting dream of competing on an Olympic stage.

But while it was tempting to chase the glory of a once-in-a-lifetime Games experience, a sensible head eventually overcame young Campbell's flightier heart. "I seriously considered trying for the 2012 Olympics, and it would have been great," he admitted.

"But it would have meant moving to the GB training base in Manchester and living and training there full-time and, to be honest, I had to accept that water polo is never going to provide me with a decent living.

"Yes, it would have been fantastic to become an Olympian, but Britain has no chance of getting a medal and so, after 2012, I would have been left high and dry. It was much more sensible to go to America, still be able to play at a high level and also study for a degree.

"I've settled in really well at Lindenwood, and really enjoy it. The university is near St Louis in Missouri and the facilities are fantastic. We won our division and I'm looking forward to staying there for another three years."

By the time the British team starts the London Olympic campaign, Campbell intends to be a fully qualified computer scientist with the security of a regular pay packet. But while GB water polo might have lost a potential star, the Scottish game has undoubtedly unearthed a valuable asset.

Campbell is certain to be a key member of the 2010 Scottish team that will compete in the Commonwealth Championships in Singapore, and he also hopes that his chosen sport will have some part to play in the extravaganza that is the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

By then, there could be a trio of Campbells in the Scottish line-up. Twins Darren and Christopher are just 14, but they have already been noticed by the British selectors, and they have every intention of following in big brother's footsteps. Do they want to go to the US on water polo scholarships? "Yes," they agree in unison.

Darren and Christopher have helped Dunfermline win this year's Scottish Under-21, Under-17 and Under-14 Cups and, top of the lot, the Fife set-up recently became the first Scottish team to win the ASA British Under-16 Cup in Manchester.

The driving force behind the three water polo boys is dad, Brian. Steeped in the sport, he is the Dunfermline team coach and has played a huge part in galvanising a resurgence within the Fife area.

"My main interest is encouraging more youngsters into the sport, both boys and girls," he said. "There have been some exciting developments over the past few years."

What does slightly irk is the sometime uncomfortable relationship that exists between swimming and water polo. "The two disciplines should work more together, but polo is seen as the dark side," is how Brian put it.

"Apparently, water polo is bad for the stroke," chips in Alasdair. "But I think it takes so much more effort that it makes it tighter and stronger. I started as a competitive swimmer, and it would be good if a lot more people would move on into polo. It really is a great sport. It is very physical but also needs a lot of thought."

Scotland has two teams competing in the British National league, Portobello and Caledonia (a composite of Dunfermline and Menzieshill). And another future goal for the Campbell trio is to help Caledonia become one of the best teams in Britain.

Brian's brother, Dougie Campbell, was one of Scotland's best-known water polo exponents. He was rated the best player in Britain in 2002 and competed for Lancaster in the National league. Uncle Dougie has since emigrated to Australia, but Alasdair, Darren and Christopher are sustaining the proud family trait.